Someone Stole My Best Silkie Hen At a Show Today :(

[Eggzactly]

Hope you get her back...

 

[Smoky73]

I am so sorry that this has happened to you! I would be devastated if anyone ever stole one of my silkies from a show!
However, I am sure that it was not an accident. There has been a serious increase of Silkies getting stolen at shows the last few years. I know of one that was stolen in MN and another one at the Silkie National in OK, just last year alone. I am sure there has been others. Zip ties, padlocks, and other methods are what people have been using anytime that the bird's class is not being judged. You have to keep strict watch on your silkies at all times, or have friends to help you watch when you cannot. Also when loading my birds in the vehicle to go home, keep your cages locked and secured and as you bring out your birds, lock them in your vehicle every time you step away. The key is to try to catch the person in the act, but very hard.
When I was in Lincoln, NE show last fall, there was a suspect there who we think stole the one in MN. So our birds were watched extra close by many eyes. Personally, I have tried to staple the cages to the floor they sit on, but the wood is often deteriorated enough that they do not stay. I have been having hubby make me some straps that need to be screwed to the bottom to keep the caged from being lifted up. Also leg bands can be removed pretty easily. I try to only show at shows where I know a lot of people to help me watch the birds.

Hope some of those ideas help you if you try to show again. Eventually, the poultry show people will have to start paying better attention and doing extra precautions to keep the exhibitors safe.

 

[monarc23]

awh that poor baby! I hear about this sort of thing all too often with many show animals...it makes me so sick to my stomach. I HOPE someone saw her get taken and gives you the info you need to FIND YOUR BABY!

 

[beakkeeper]

Wow. What a sad world we live in! Gee, I hope that person gets hit by a truck and your baby flies home to you!

 

[colby318]

I hope these scumbags don't ever cross BYC lines. We'll be onto them in a heartbeat! Do you think she might show up at other shows? Can you have her "blacklisted" at all so they'll know if a blue silkie hen starts winning somewhere else? A sort of most wanted list for her? It would be great if that could go out to the show circuit!

We're all here for you!

Colby in KY

 

[pokey]

wow, that's really low....maybe it was a mistake.hopefully, you'll get her back. but maybe we can all watch out for you as they might try to sell her..
good luck, best wishes for you getting her back.

 

[jimnjay]

You poor thing, Your little girl is just precious and I would be devastated too. I have heard of this type of thing happening at shows too. I like all of Smokey's remedies. It most likely no help in recovering you Betty but it may help in the future.

We all know there are few enough people working these shows so we can't blame the host club. I am thinking that eventually birds need to be tagged and people will have to produce a matching tag when leaving but that will make putting on shows very difficult. People wson't be interested in showing if they have to take a chance of loosing thier beautiful birds.

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

So sorry about your lose.. I sure hope you find her.. I would post LOST posters at every feed store and pet shop.. Any where you can get supplies for poultry.. Maybe even with a color photo.. I dont know if I would say the band numbers on the poster.. That way you could identify her if some one asked.. I would just put on the poster that she has one metal and one plastic blue band.. I would also file a police report. Make sure in the report you tell them her band numbers. I sure hope the bands are not easy to remove.. And I would be going to every poultry show with in distance that I could get to.. Taking a copy of the police report with me.. I would also call all the shows I couldnt attend and let them know if a bird comes in with those numbers and that color, that is is stolen and to call you asap..

I sure hope you can find your chickie...

 

[()relics]

Lately at shows we have been using a hog ring on the cage doors for just this reason...Someone tried to get Bubba <---- out of his cage at a show...the chaos that followed attracted some bystanders that offered assistance...The would-be thief panicked and lefted...Thankfully.
I would file a grievance with the show sponsors...and definitely hang on to your exhibitors list.

sorry and good-luck

 

[BamaChicken]

That would be so distressing. I sure hope you get her back.